Q: How do I enter my system's BIOS?

A: To enter the BIOS, CMOS, Setup, or the System Setup on Dimension systems, perform the following steps:

1. Restart your system.
   
2. On all Pentium-based Dimension systems, press the [F2] key, or the [Delete] key as the system powers up (but before the operating system begins to load).

Q: Should I update my system's BIOS to the latest version?

A: You should only update your BIOS if one of the following applies to your situation:

• You are having problems with your system that may be fixed by updating your BIOS.
  
• You have been requested or recommended by Dell technical support to update your BIOS.
  
• You are upgrading the computer�s operating system or adding hardware, and a BIOS update may be necessary to support the new operating system or hardware.

Updating the BIOS can be a potentially risky prospect, and should not be done simply to be up-to-date.



Q: How do I update my system's BIOS to the latest version?

A: First, ensure that your Dell support profile is set. Then, to find the appropriate BIOS update for your system, perform the following steps:

1. Click the Downloads tab.
   
2. Under "Select Your Download Category," choose FlashBIOS Updates.
   
3. Click Go.
   
4. Click Dell Dimension System BIOS.
   
5. Click on the latest available BIOS revision listed under FlashBIOS Updates [BIOS].

You may now download the appropriate version of the BIOS.

If you have a floppy drive in your system, acquire a single blank floppy disk, insert it into your floppy drive, and download the Floppy version of your FlashBIOS onto your desktop. Run that file, and it will create a bootable floppy disk with the BIOS image on it. Leave that disk in the drive, and restart the computer. The disk will boot automatically, and begin the flash process. Once it is complete, remove the disk from the drive, and restart the system.

If you do not have a floppy drive in your system, download and run the Hard Drive version of the FlashBIOS update. This should be executable within Windows, and you should be prompted to restart to complete the BIOS update.



Q: How do I clear my system's NVRAM?

A: The following Dell Knowledge Base article describes this process for currently shipping Dimension systems, as well as legacy models:

How do I clear NVRAM on my Dell� Dimension� system?



Q: How do I configure my system to boot from CD?

A: NOTE: Not all Dimension systems can be booted from the CDROM drive, although all currently shipping systems can do so. The following Dell Knowledge Base article describes this process for most Dimension systems:

How Do I Configure My Dell� Dimension� Series System to Boot to the CD Drive?